“GSPM transforms students into leaders.”
Mellor Willie, Current Student

THE GR ADUATE SCHOOL OF
POLITICAL MANAGEMENT

TURN YOUR PASSION FOR POLITICS INTO A
POWERFUL OPPORTUNIT Y.
You’re young, ambitious and want to change the world, so where do
you start? Maybe you have contemplated going to law school or
getting a master’s degree in public policy or public administration, but
you want to do politics and these programs don’t exactly deliver a
practical political education.
Students at The George Washington University’s Graduate School of
Political Management (GSPM) share your passion – for politics, for
making a difference, for taking their careers to the next level. They
know that positive change comes from active engagement.
No matter where you stand on the issues, GSPM prepares the next
generation of professionals to make a difference in politics, advocacy,
non-profit management and public affairs. You’ll learn from leading
practitioners in the field who will go beyond theories and bring you
face-to-face with the real-world practice of politics.
Because we know your work is as important as your classroom
experience, we’ve designed our programs to accommodate working
professionals, offering classes Monday through Thursday evenings.
Grow professionally and personally without interrupting your life. Gain
fundamental skills. Expand your network. Turn your passion for politics
into a powerful opportunity.

BRING US YOUR :

“As executive director of a national political organization, I needed a program that would allow me to
remain involved in professional and political activities outside of the classroom. GSPM afforded me the
opportunity to make connections, build relationships and learn from exceptionally talented people
from across the nation and the world. Not only does the school focus on helping students understand
how to effectively achieve results in their career and profession, it transforms them into leaders.”
Mellor Willie, Current Student, Executive Director, National American Indian Housing Council

CONTENTS
2

Why GSPM

4

Political Management

5

Legislative Affairs

6

Graduate Certificates

8

Public Relations

9

Admissions

MISSION:
The Graduate School of Political
Management (GSPM) at The

10

Career Development

George Washington University

12

Alumni Relations

seeks to improve politics
by educating students and
professionals in the tools,
principles and values of
participatory democracy,
preparing them for careers
as ethical and effective advocates
and leaders at the international,
national and local levels â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
in a non-partisan environment.

On the front cover: GSPM current student Mellor Willie, executive director of
the National American Indian Housing
Coucil, works to further the cause of
American Indians before the U.S.
Senate Committee on Indian Affairs.
All portrait photography by Chris Greenberg,
except photo, page 8, by Jessica McConnell

WHY GSPM?
A Unique Experience
In todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fast-paced political environment,
what you know has become as important
as who you know. As the first school of its
kind in the nation, GSPM sets the standard
for the teaching of practical and ethical
politics. Whether you envision yourself
working behind the scenes or at the
forefront of the political arena, a practical
education focused on real-world
experience will provide you with the tools
you need to change the face of politics.
Practitioner Faculty
We rely on a talented, highly regarded
cadre of full-time professors and part-time
adjunct faculty who bring the best

BRING US YOUR :

practices of the field into the classroom,
exposing students to the most current
techniques in the field, as well as the full
spectrum of political views and beliefs.
Our faculty is recognized for their expertise
across the entire range of political activities,
including legislating, lobbying, campaigning,
advocacy, polling and communications.
Many head their own political management
firms, while others serve as full-time
campaign managers, consultants and
advisors to government officials.

Nancy Bocskor, faculty
member and prominent
Republican fundraiser,
mentors a student at
Washington, DC landmark
Old Ebbitt Grill, situated
on 14th Street, a block
from the White House.
2

“Teaching at GSPM provides me with the opportunity to do what I love best: mentoring the next
generation of political leaders. My students learn real-life, practical knowledge from fundraising
experts who graciously volunteer their time to guest lecture. Students walk in to class with ideas
and walk out with achievable plans — both for life and a career in politics.”
Nancy Bocskor, President, The Nancy Bocskor Company, GSPM Professor
3

POLITICAL MANAGEMENT
Political Management is not another
name for political science. The 12-course,
36-credit-hour program will prepare you
to be a political leader and to take your
place in the emerging profession of politics.
Gain the knowledge, techniques and
ethical principles necessary to successfully
influence the process and make a
positive difference in your community â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
whether you want to work on the local,
state, national or international stage.
Courses incorporate such topics as
lobbying, polling, political advertising,
grassroots mobilization, fundraising, new
media communications, non-profit advocacy, speechwriting and international
political consulting. The degree may be
tailored to your specific career goals.
Choose to focus in one of three areas or
work with your faculty advisor to select
courses from several areas that meet your
individual aspirations.
Fieldwork Requirement
If you have not had substantial professional
political experience, you will be required

BRING US YOUR :

to complete a term of fieldwork. The 400hour requirement does not carry academic
credit. If you have had one or more years
of professional experience in politics you
may apply for a waiver.
CeCe Grant, a current
student in the Legislative
Affairs program, speaks
with a Department of
Transportation official
about nationwide highspeed rail implementation.

4

LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS
Capitol Hill has long been a magnet for
people interested in a career in politics
and public life. ”The Hill” experience offers
professionals opportunities to develop
critical knowledge and networks that will
serve them throughout their careers.
To succeed, professionals working in
the legislative arena need a comprehensive understanding of how Congress
operates, how decisions are made, how
legislative procedures shape outcomes,
and how other entities like the Executive
Branch, lobbyists and constituents influence the work of a legislature. Most
importantly, they need to know how to
influence and use legislative decisions to
accomplish specific objectives within the
legislative process.
The Legislative Affairs faculty features
many instructors with long careers on and
around Capitol Hill.
For over 30 years, students in the program
have used the master’s degree to launch
and enhance their careers on the Hill, in
the advocacy world and in a multitude of
other fields related to the Congressional
world, such as lobbying and government
relations. The 11-course, 33-credit-hour
program is the only master’s degree exclusively devoted to the study of applied

“I was drawn to GSPM because of its strong reputa-

politics in the legislative arena.

tion for preparing young professionals for careers
in politics. You receive an inside education from
experts in the field who have been there, done that.”
CeCe Grant, Current Student, Writer, U.S. Department
of Transportation Office of the Secretary
5

BRING US YOUR :

â&#x20AC;&#x153;At GSPM, I am fortunate enough to work with and learn from a talented group of
students and professionals that not only love the art of politics, but live and breathe its
benefits as well. The students create an environment where no idea is a bad idea and
where their thirst of learning pushes me to give my all when I enter the classroom.â&#x20AC;?
Robert Traynham, Washington Bureau Chief, The Comcast Network, GSPM Professor
6

GR ADUATE CERTIFICATES
Campaign Strategy
Today, the campaign never ends. To be successful, you
need to know the tricks of the trade. This 18-credit-hour
certificate provides you with a comprehensive yet quick
tactical package that will prepare you to run and manage
any campaign. The program’s six courses will give you a
broad understanding of the political process.
Community Advocacy
Designed to meet the needs of future community leaders
and public policy change agents, this 18-credit-hour
certificate focuses on strengthening communities and
organizing to bring about change for the public good. It
responds to a specific need stated by leaders of several
non-profit organizations—to challenge and build
community awareness, a need made more acute with the
re-emergence of grassroots mobilization as a key component to community advocacy.
Online Politics
Since the first serious use of online campaigning by John
McCain in 2000, tools such as web advertising, interactive
websites, complex social networking and virtual fundraising
have become central to success in politics, especially in
campaigns. This 18-credit-hour certificate will teach
you how to master the world of online communications,
new media tools, networking and fundraising.
PACs and Political Management
The challenges of political action and campaign finance
make it more important than ever that professionally
trained and savvy leaders manage political action committees
(PACs). Acquire fundamentals skills required to effectively
run an organization’s PAC and successfully tackle the
Robert Traynham, GSPM
professor and Washington
Bureau Chief at CN8, The
Comcast Network, tapes
his weekly television program, Roll Call TV with
Robert Traynham.

daunting realities of political finance and action. Developed
in close consultation with leading experts in PAC
management, political action and campaign finance,
this 15-credit-hour certificate teaches key skills in issue
advocacy, solicitation, fundraising, grassroots campaigns,
budgeting and candidate selection.
7

Aaron Pickering, an alumnus of the Strategic Public Relations Master’s Degree and director of communications
for a national nonprofit, pitches a story to a journalist.

PUBLIC RELATIONS
You want to capture public attention,
shape public policy and earn the public’s
trust as a successful strategic public relations professional. Yet you know the field
is changing—you need to employ more
than traditional methods in a new media
world to get the desired results. The public
relations profession finds itself converging
with practices that used to be separate
disciplines—PR practitioners often fulfill
public affairs and marketing roles in addition to traditional internal and external
communications functions. We can help
you stand out and succeed.
The 33-credit-hour program follows an
innovative approach to building your professional credentials and will position you
to excel in this challenging, fast growing
profession. You’ll master core public relations skills and the practical application of
strategic planning to communications.
You can choose to enter as a master’s degree

BRING US YOUR :

or graduate certificate candidate. After
completing the certificate, you can apply
the core public relations curriculum completed in the certificate program to the
master’s degree.The program takes advantage
of GW’s connections in the Nation’s Capital,
focusing on the intersection of public
policy, business and media here and the
key role played by PR professionals in
agencies, corporations and non-profit

“As a student at GSPM, I created communications

associations. GSPM taps into experts in

and advocacy campaigns for my employer and

both the PR and political arenas to build

learned how to leverage the strategic value of

our curriculum.Plus, you’ll graduate prepared

public relations in business and politics.”

for professional advancement in the field.

Aaron Pickering ’09, Director of Communications,
Direct Care Alliance

8

A FLEXIBLE CURRICULUM

GRE Waiver

No two politicos are alike and neither should their
master’s degrees. Our flexible curriculum allows you
to tailor the degree program to meet your specific
interests. Choose courses that will benefit your
career development. With departmental approval,
you can take electives offered by other GW schools
and DC area universities.

If you have three or more years of full-time (35 or
more hours per week), professional, managementlevel experience you may apply to waive the GRE
requirement.“Relevant work experience” does not
include internships, volunteering, receptionist duties
or clerical responsibilities.

Non-Degree Status
Visit Us
We strongly encourage you to visit campus
Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. To schedule an
appointment for a tour and/or class visit, contact the
Admissions Office, gspminfo@gwu.edu or
202.994.6000.

Did you miss the application deadline? Would you
like to try a class before applying? Those not yet
accepted to the university may register for up to
three courses or nine credits on a non-degree basis
prior to admission. You must be formally admitted to
a degree or certificate program prior to enrolling in
a fourth course.

How to Apply
You must submit your application electronically
through the office of Graduate Student Enrollment
Management. Please submit:
A completed online application with non-refundable application fee

■

■

A 250-500 word personal statement

or certified copies of academic records
from all the colleges and universities attended,
whether or not credit was earned, the program was
completed, or the credit appears as transfer credit on
another transcript.
Note: Applicants are required to have a bachelor’s
degree (B.A. or B.S.) with at least a B average (3.0 on a
4.0 scale) or equivalent from a regionally accredited
U.S. institution of higher learning or an international
institution that is accredited by the country's minister
of education or comparable government agency

Transfer Credit
With program director approval, you may receive up
to nine credit hours of coursework as transfer credit.
Such coursework must have been taken within the
past two years, must be related in subject matter,
must not have been applied toward another degree
and must have been completed successfully with a
grade of B or better.

■ Official

■ Official

GRE scores (taken within the last five years)
or a waiver request form (see below)
Note: GRE scores are not required for the graduate
certificate programs in Campaign Strategy, Online
Politics and PACs and Political Management.

■ Current

resume with education and work history

■ Three

letters of recommendation (at least one
academic and one professional reference)

■ Official

results of the Test of English as a Foreign
Language (TOEFL) for applicants who are from
countries where English is not an official language
and those who do not hold a degree from an
accredited American institution of higher learning.
The Test of Written English (TWE) is also recommended.

Deadlines
We accept applications on a rolling basis until the
following deadlines:
Fall admission – June 15
Spring admission – November 15
Summer admission – April 15
International students should submit their complete
application and accompanying paperwork six
months in advance of their intended start date.

FINANCIAL AID
Detailed information about applying for need-based
grants, federal student loans and private loans is
available from GW’s Office of Financial Assistance,
finaid@gwu.edu or 202.994.6620.

Scholarships and Grants
The GSPM has a limited number of small student aid
packages available each semester. Aid is distributed
on a rolling basis, so we encourage you to apply
early in the admissions cycle. Several university-wide
scholarships and grants are available through GW’s
Office of Financial Assistance.

9

CAREER DEVELOPMENT
Preparing the Next Generation of
Professionals to Make a Difference
“I have hired several individuals who have
completed the GSPM program. They are
extremely intelligent and arrive fully prepared
to work hard.I have found that these individuals
have a strong work ethic, are confident,
and demonstrate strong leadership skills;
all essential competencies in a professional
environment.”
— Maureen Benitz
Branch Chief, Federal Election
Commission Reports Analysis Division
One of the reasons students choose
GSPM is because of our focus on practical,
applied politics. A GSPM education
doesn’t end in the classroom. It extends
into the workplace.
We offer students and alumni a variety
of resources to aid their professional
development. From workshops and
training sessions focused on skill-building
and career advancement to “Meet and
Greet” sessions with potential employers,
you will receive an insider’s look at
Washington’s various professions.
If you are seeking more personalized
assistance, our career services director
offers career counseling sessions tailored
to each individual’s needs. Whether you
need assistance with goal setting, jobrelated research, networking, resume and
cover letter development, interview skills
or general employment strategies, we can
help you grow professionally and build
successful opportunities in politics.

10

Jillian Martin, a GSPM
alumna and legislative
assistant in the House of
Representatives, advises
a junior staffer on a
developing policy issue
in her Capitol Hill office.

BRING US YOUR :

“At GSPM, I gained a thorough understanding of the entire political process — from the decision to
run for office through the passage of a bill. Through the program, I have met top political operatives —
on both sides of the aisle. GSPM gave me the tools I needed to launch my political career; I cannot
imagine a better starting point. ”
Jillian Martin ‘09, Legislative Assistant, Congressman Dan Maffei
11

ALUMNI RELATIONS
Washington, DC is a town built on
interpersonal connections. We recognize
that what you know and who you know
are important to your professional success.
With over 1,800 graduates internationally,
GSPM provides a robust network that will
allow you to hit the ground running.
GSPM graduates serve in varied positions
at every level in U.S. politics. Our alumni
work in Congressional offices, public
affairs, political and issue campaigns,
trade associations, lobbying shops and
consulting firms.
Graduates also serve in key positions on
presidential campaigns in field operations,
on state teams and as communications
professionals.

COUNCIL ON AMERICAN
POLITICS
The Council on American Politics brings
together leaders from across the nation to

BRING US YOUR :

address issues facing the growth and
enrichment of The Graduate School of
Political Management. It is the only entity
of its kind with the mission of affecting
positive change in politics through
education. Among its members are former
Congressmen and administration officials,
campaign managers for Presidents,
Washingtonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s power lobbyists and public
relations elite.

12

David Rehr, recognized by
Washington Life magazine
as one of DCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 100 most
powerful individuals outside
the federal government,
speaks with a colleague on
the steps of the United
States Capitol.

“Those who are serious about their career in politics attend GSPM. The professors and guest lecturers
are on the cutting edge of strategies, tactics, and technologies drawn from their real world
experiences. This distinction alone helps the graduates be successful. There is no other school like it.
And this uniqueness gives GSPM graduates an edge in hiring, promotion and gaining more on the
job responsibility. It’s the must place to be for future political ‘power players.’”
David Rehr, Ph.D., Senior Advisor, Leading Authorities; Member, GW Council on American Politics

The George Washington University
The Graduate School of Political Management
805 21st Street, NW, Suite 401
Washington DC 20052